VA-BRED READY FOR BELMONT STAKES

According to Bloodhorse.com, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and his staff are not strangers to having good horses in the barn. Three years ago, Jazilwon the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). The same year, Invasortook the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) and Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) en route to Horse of the Year honors. In 2007, Lahudood upset the Emirates Airlines Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (gr. IT) and won a divisional title.

Now McLaughlin has a budding star in the lightly raced Virginia-bred Charitable Man, who will be among the favorites in the $1 million Belmont Stakes June 6. The son of 1999 Belmont winner Lemon Drop Kidenters the third leg of the Triple Crown following a handy win for owners William and Suzanne Warren in the Peter Pan (gr. II) May 9. He also won the Futurity (gr. II) at Belmont Park as a 2-year-old.